Vehicle for transporting an equine hydrotherapy spa

ABSTRACT

A wheeled vehicle comprising a load carrying platform mounted above the wheels, a bath, bath moving means, and at least one fluid tank, in which at least a portion of the fluid tank is disposed below the load carrying platform, in which the bath moving means are adapted to move the bath between a first position on the load carrying platform, and a second position on the ground adjacent the vehicle, and in which fluid contained in the fluid tank can be placed in the bath when the bath is in the second position.

This invention relates to a vehicle for transporting a fluid bath, alongwith fluid to be used with it, for use particularly, but notexclusively, for transporting an equine hydrotherapy spa.

Hydrotherapy is an effective treatment for injuries received by workinghorses, and is particularly popular with race horse trainers because itreduces recovery time. An equine hydrotherapy spa comprises a bath largeenough to receive a horse immersed up to its torso in salt water, arefrigeration unit to cool the water, water aeration and agitationmechanisms and various water cleansing filters.

The most common spas have a bath area defined by two side compartments,with two water-tight doors at either end. The horse is led into the batharea, the doors are closed and the bath is filled with the saltwater.The various mechanisms to cool and agitate the water are housed in theside compartments.

One batch of salt water for such a spa can be used for a large number oftreatments, and is costly and time consuming to prepare. Therefore, oneor more tanks are provided which can contain the fluid when the doorsare open. The tanks can be provided as part of the whole item, or asseparate items connected to the spa by hoses or pipes.

Equine hydrotherapy spas like those described above are therefore largein size and can be expensive to purchase and install. As the spas areusually only required to treat injured horses, such a purchase may proveuneconomical for smaller stables.

Spas are provided at equine treatment centres and the like, but manyhorse trainers are reluctant to transport an injured animal to such afacility as the journey may exacerbate the injury.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a vehiclewhich can transport an equine hydrotherapy spa, so the benefits of thetreatment can be enjoyed without horse trainers having to purchase theirown spa, or transport a horse to one.

However, as described above, one batch of fluid is used time and again.Therefore, if a spa is to be transported, it is necessary to transportthe fluid along with it.

An equine hydrotherapy spa with integral tanks full of fluid isprohibitively heavy and would be awkward to manoeuvre on and off a smallor medium sized vehicle. If the combined weight of a spa and integral orseparate fluid tanks were to be carried safely on a vehicle loadcarrying platform, a very large and strong vehicle would be required.However, such a vehicle, for example an articulated lorry, would be toolarge to manoeuvre into many horse stable yards.

The present invention is intended to overcome some of the aboveproblems.

According to the present invention a wheeled vehicle comprises a loadcarrying platform mounted above the wheels, a bath, bath moving means,and at least one fluid tank, in which at least a portion of the fluidtank is disposed below the load carrying platform, in which the bathmoving means are adapted to move the bath between a first position onthe load carrying platform, and a second position on the ground adjacentthe vehicle, and in which fluid contained in the fluid tank can beplaced in the bath when the bath is in the second position.

In a preferred construction fluid placed in the bath can be placed backin the fluid tank.

The bath moving means may comprise slide means and a load liftingplatform. The load lifting platform may comprise a substantially levelplatform adapted to be raised and lowered between a position level withthe load carrying platform and the ground. The load lifting platform maybe attached to the vehicle in a hinged arrangement, so it can be rotatedthrough substantially 90 degrees to form part of a wall of a bodycarried on the chassis.

In a preferred construction the load carrying platform is asubstantially level platform carried on top of the vehicle chassis. Theslide means can be used to move the bath between the load carryingplatform and the load lifting platform, when the two are level with oneanother.

Two fluid tanks may be provided, one on each side of the vehicle. Thefluid tanks may be carried by the vehicle below the load carryingplatform, and adjacent each side of the chassis. Fluid pumping means maybe provided to move fluid between the tanks and the bath in the secondposition.

In a preferred construction the vehicle is a lorry comprising anelongate central chassis member with the wheels attached laterallythereto, and in which a space is defined between the front wheel and theback wheel on each side of the chassis. At least a portion of each fluidtank may be disposed in the above described space on each side of thechassis. With this arrangement, the weight of the fluid tanks is carriedlow on the vehicle during transit, which improves road safety. Inaddition, the power required to pump fluid back into the tanks after useis low as they are close to the ground.

The elongate central chassis member may also extend beyond the backwheels, and preferably a refrigeration unit for use with the bath may bedisposed below the load carrying platform and behind a rear wheel on oneside of the vehicle, and an electric generator unit may be disposedbelow the load carrying platform and behind a rear wheel on the oppositeside of the vehicle.

The load carrying platform may carry a body portion adapted to containthe bath. In a preferred construction legs are provided which can belowered to the ground to support the vehicle when the spa is movedbetween the first position and the second position.

Preferably the bath may be an equine hydrotherapy spa, comprising a batharea defined by two side compartments and liquid-tight doors at eitherend.

Preferably the load lifting platform can be provided on one side of thevehicle, and adjacent the rear of the vehicle. With this arrangement thespa is alongside the vehicle, and adjacent the rear when it is in thesecond position.

The equine hydrotherapy spa can be arranged in the second position withthe side compartments substantially parallel to the side of the vehicle,and the entry end of the spa closest to the front of the vehicle. Withthis arrangement, when a horse is led into the spa it can be penned inby the vehicle on one side, the spa in front, and a single person on theother side. This arrangement allows for ready control of a horse by asingle person.

The invention can be performed in various ways, but one embodiment willnow be described by way of example and with reference to theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a vehicle according to the present invention ina first arrangement;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the vehicle as shown in FIG. 1 in a secondarrangement; and,

FIG. 3 is a side view of the vehicle as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in asecond arrangement.

In the Figures a wheeled vehicle in the form of lorry 1, comprises aload carrying platform 2 mounted above the wheels 3 and 4, a bath in theform of equine hydrotherapy spa 5, bath moving means in the form of loadlifting platform 6 and rolling conveyor mat 7 and at least one fluidtank 8 (only one of which is visible).

At least a portion 8 a of the fluid tank 8 is disposed below the loadcarrying platform 2. Further. the load lifting platform 6 and therolling conveyor mat 7 are adapted to move the spa 5 between a firstposition on the load carrying platform 2 as shown in FIG. 1, and asecond position on the ground adjacent the vehicle 1 as shown in FIGS. 2and 3.

Fluid contained in the fluid tanks 8 can be placed in the spa 5 when thespa 5 is in the second position. The spa comprises a bath area (notvisible) defined by two side compartments 9 (only one of which isvisible) and liquid tight entry doors 10 and exit doors 11 at oppositeends.

The lorry further comprises a cab 12, a body 13, a central chassismember 14, front wheels 3 and rear wheels 4. A space 15 (only one ofwhich is visible) is defined on each side of the vehicle 1 between thefront wheels 3 and the rear wheels 4, below the load carrying platform 2and adjacent the central chassis member 14. In space 15 the vehicle fueltanks 16, and the lower portions 8 a of the fluid tanks 8 are disposed.

A space 17 (only one of which is visible) is defined on each side of thevehicle behind the rear wheels 4 and below the load carrying platform 2and adjacent the central chassis member 15. A refrigeration unit 18 foruse with the spa 5 is disposed in space 17 on the side of the vehicle 1which carries the load lifting platform 3, and an electricity generator(not visible) is disposed in space 17 on the opposite side.

Hydraulically operated legs 19 and 20 are provided on the load liftingplatform side of the vehicle 1, a first 19 in front of the load liftingplatform 6, and a second 20 behind.

The rolling conveyor mat 7 is provided underneath the spa 5, and allowsthe spa 4 to be pushed from the load carrying platform 2 to the loadlifting platform 6. as shown in FIG. 2.

The load lifting platform 6 is mounted on hydraulically operated arms21, which move up and down channels 22. Hinge mechanisms 23 provided atthe bottom of the arms 21 can rotate the platform 6 through 90 degreesform the position shown in FIG. 1 to that shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Apparatus to operate the hydraulic legs 19 and 20 and the arms 21, fluidpumping apparatus and the vehicle motor are all provided on the chassisand are not shown in the Figures. A living area is contained inside thebody 13, in front of the area which carries the spa 5.

In transit the vehicle 1 is arranged as shown in FIG. 1. The spa (notvisible) is stowed inside the body 13, and on top of the load carryingplatform 2. The lifting platform 6 is arranged at 90 degrees to theground, and forms part of the body 13. The legs 19 and 20 are raised.

Fluid (not shown) for use with the spa 5 is stored in the fluid tanks 8.Therefore, the spa 5 is disposed over the rear axle (not shown), and theweight of most of the fluid, the refrigeration unit 18 and theelectricity generator (not shown) is carried low on the vehicle 1, andin particular below the load carrying platform 2. This provides thevehicle with better handling characteristics during transit.

When the spa 5 is to be used the vehicle is parked and arranged as shownin FIG. 2. The legs 19 and 20 are lowered to the ground to support thelorry 1, then the load lifting platform 6 is then rotated through 90degrees by the hinge mechanisms 23. The spa 5 is then pushed onto theplatform 6 by means of the rolling conveyor mat 7.

The load lifting platform 6 is then lowered to the ground as shown inFIG. 3, by operation of the arms 21. The lowering (and subsequentlifting) by the platform 6 is made easier due to the fact that the fluidtanks 8, the generator and the refrigeration unit 18 do not need to becarried.

As is shown in the Figures, the load lifting platform 6 is provided onone side 1 a of the vehicle 1, and is adjacent the rear 1 b of thevehicle 1. With this arrangement, when the spa 5 is disposed in thesecond position, it is alongside the vehicle 1, and adjacent the rear 1b of the vehicle 1, as shown in FIG. 3.

As is also shown in the Figures, the entry doors 10 of the spa 5 areclosest to the front 1 c of the vehicle 1. With this arrangement, when ahorse 24 is led into the spa 5 in use, it can be penned in by thevehicle 1 on one side, the spa 5 in front, and a single person (notshown) on the other side. This arrangement allows for ready control of ahorse by a single person. In addition, some nervous horses prefer tostand against a surface or a wall, and therefore, they may be preparedto be led into the spa 5 by walking along the side 1 a of the vehicle 1.

Once a hose is inside the spa 5, fluid contained in the tanks 8 is thenpumped into the spa 5, and a treatment program can take place. Once thisis completed, the horse can be led out of the spa through the exit doors11.

The refrigeration unit 15 can be used to cool the fluid during transitas shown in FIG. 1, or during spa use as shown in FIG. 3. The generator(not shown) can be used to power the refrigeration unit 18 duringtransit or spa use, and it can be used to power the spa generally aswell as other items provided on the lorry 1, for example in the livingarea.

When the spa 5 is to be stowed away and the vehicle transportedelsewhere, the above described steps are reversed, with the fluidreturned to the tanks 8, and the spa 5 returned to the load carryingplatform.

The vehicle 1 as shown in the Figures can be altered in various wayswithout departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, theload carrying platform can be provided at the rear of the vehicle bodyas opposed to on the side as shown in the Figures. Furthermore, the spacould be moved from the load carrying platform by means of an angledramp, as opposed to a level platform.

In one alternative embodiment (not shown) a pair of doors are providedon the side of the body 13, and the load lifting platform 6 can becarried in transit inside the body 13 and behind the doors.

In further alternative embodiments the equine hydrotherapy spa can bereplaced with another item which requires fluid in use, but which wouldbe too heavy and awkward to manoeuvre without the fluid removed, forexample a swimming bath, or any fuel driven mechanical apparatus,

Thus a vehicle is provided which can safely and conveniently transportan equine hydrotherapy spa. Further, the disposal of various componentslow on the vehicle allows for ready loading and unloading of the spa,and better handling characteristics of the vehicle. In addition, anequine hydrotherapy spa can be readily removed from the vehicle andarranged in such a way that a single person can lead a horse into thespa.

1. A wheeled vehicle comprising a load carrying platform mounted above the wheels, a bath, bath moving means, and at least one fluid tank, in which at least a portion of the fluid tank is disposed below the load carrying platform, in which the bath moving means are adapted to move the bath between a first position on the load carrying platform, and a second position on the ground adjacent the vehicle, in use, and in which fluid contained in the fluid tank is placed in the bath when the bath is in the second position, in use.
 2. A wheeled vehicle as claimed in claim 1 in which fluid placed in the bath can be placed back in the fluid tank.
 3. A wheeled vehicle as claimed in claim 2 in which the vehicle is a lorry comprising an elongate central chassis member with the wheels attached laterally thereto, and with the load carrying platform mounted on the central chassis member and disposed above the wheels.
 4. A wheeled vehicle as claimed in claim 3 in which two fluid tanks are provided, and in which at least a portion of one fluid tank is disposed in the space between the front wheel and the rear wheel on one side of the vehicle, and in which at least a portion of the other fluid tank is disposed on the space between the front wheel and the rear wheel on the opposite side of the vehicle.
 5. A wheeled vehicle as claimed in claim 4 in which the elongate central chassis member extends beyond the back wheels, and in which a refrigeration unit for use with the bath is disposed in the space behind the rear wheel on one side of the vehicle, and in which an electricity generator for use with the bath is disposed in the space behind the rear wheel on the opposite side of the vehicle.
 6. A wheeled vehicle as claimed in claim 1 in which the bath moving means comprises slide means and a load lifting platform, in which the load lifting platform comprises a substantially level platform adapted to be raised and lowered between a position level with the load carrying platform and the ground, in use, and in which the slide means are provided under the bath, such that the bath is moved between the load carrying platform and the load lifting platform when the two are level with one another, in use.
 7. A wheeled vehicle as claimed in claim 6 in which the load lifting platform may be attached to the vehicle in a hinged arrangement, so it can be rotated through substantially 90 degrees between a stowed position and an in-use position.
 8. A wheeled vehicle as claimed in claim 7 in which the load lifting platform is moved by means of substantially vertically mounted hydraulically operated arms.
 9. A wheeled vehicle as claimed in claim 6 in which the load lifting platform is disposed on one side of the vehicle.
 10. A wheeled vehicle as claimed in claim 4 in which fluid pumping means are provided and are adapted to pump fluid between the fluid tanks and the bath, in use.
 11. A wheeled vehicle as claimed in claim 10 in which the fluid pumping means are also adapted to pump fluid between the fluid tanks and the refrigeration unit and/or between the bath and the refrigeration unit, in use.
 12. A wheeled vehicle as claimed in claim 1 in which a body is provided on the load carrying platform, and in which the body contains the bath when the bath is disposed in the first position.
 13. A wheeled vehicle as claimed in claim 1 in which legs are provided, which are adapted to be lowered to the ground and to support the vehicle when the bath is moved between the first position and the second position, in use.
 14. A wheeled vehicle as claimed in claim 1 in which the bath is an equine hydrotherapy spa.
 15. A wheeled vehicle as claimed in claim 14 in which the spa comprises a bath area defined by two side compartments, and with liquid-tight entry doors at one end, and liquid tight exit doors at the opposite end.
 16. A wheeled vehicle as claimed in claim 15 in which the load lifting platform is provided on one side of the vehicle, and adjacent one end of the vehicle, and in which when the spa is disposed in the second position the side compartments of the spa are substantially parallel to said side of said vehicle and the exit doors of the spa are disposed adjacent said end of the vehicle, such that a pen area defined by the side of the vehicle and the front of the spa is provided in front of the entry doors of the spa.
 17. (Canceled) 